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Steven Van Zandt makes deal with Primary Wave Music

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Steven Van Zandt is teaming up with independent music publisher Primary Wave Music in a new deal that encompasses the E Street Band member’s music publishing and recorded music catalogs.

The multimillion dollar deal includes Little Steven’s name and likeness rights, as well as a stake in producer royalties. That will encompass his work with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, like “I Don’t Want To Go Home” and “This Time it’s For Real,” and with Bruce Springsteen on such albums as The River and Born in the U.S.A., and songs like “Hungry Heart” and “Dancing in the Dark.”

“Couldn’t be more excited to explore this partnership,” Van Zandt shares. “They have an incredible track record for being creative and proactive. Looking forward to seeing what kind of fun we can have with these songs I’m still really proud of.”

Van Zandt is currently on tour with Springsteen and the E Street Band. They play Atlanta, Georgia, Friday.

Joe Elliott spent most of the Mötley Crüe/Def Leppard tour in isolation

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Def Leppard spent last summer on tour with Mötley Crüe, and while you’d think there’d be a lot of partying going on behind the scenes, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott says the threat of COVID kept that from being the case.

“The safest way for us to keep that show on the road was just to avoid human beings as best we could,” he tells Classic Rock. “So all of us in Leppard traveled separately, which is the smartest decision we made. I didn’t stay in hotels. I lived on the bus, just me and Dale, my driver, in total isolation.“

He adds, “That’s the price of doing business in 2022. If we cancel a stadium show in Arlington, Texas at four in the afternoon, people will have travelled hundreds of miles and spent hundreds of dollars to get there. So we avoided contact, we tested every day, and it worked. We didn’t lose one gig.”

And for all those who expected backstage to be one big party, Elliott notes, “You know, we act like children on stage but we’re actually quite responsible people when we need to be.”

And Elliott’s getting ready to do it all again. Their tour with Mötley Crüe relaunches February 10 and 11 in Atlantic City, before heading to Mexico City, Mexico, February 18. A complete list of dates can be found at defleppard.com.

Jay-Z renews partnership with Bacardi following legal battle over D’USSÉ brand

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Jay-Z and Bacardi have come to an agreement following their legal battle over the D’USSÉ brand. The entrepreneur will be renewing his partnership with Bacardi.

Per the terms of the deal, Bacardi will acquire a majority interest in D’USSÉ, while Jay will retain a “significant ownership stake” in the brand.

“Growing D’USSÉ over the past decade from an idea to one of the fastest-selling spirits in history has been a blessing,” he said in a statement. “The next phase of this journey will further cement D’USSÉ’s legacy as one of the world’s most respected brands. I am excited to renew this partnership with Bacardi.”

The news of the Jay/Bacardi deal follows a legal battle in which the rapper sued the spirits company for lack of transparency, especially in regard to DUSSÉ’s valuation, Vibe reports. Jay later offered a $1.5 billion buyout, but he was denied. Bacardi claimed he doubled the price instead of honoring his deal to sell his share in D’USSÉ.

Mötley Crüe shares first photo with new band member John 5

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Mötley Crüe is ready to start their next chapter. The band just released the first official photo with new band member John 5.

The black-and-white shot, taken by famed photographer Ross Halfin, is captioned “Ready to hit the road…#TheWorldTour 2023.”

Mötley Crüe announced back in October that John 5, guitarist for Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, would be taking over for Mick Mars on tour. Mars announced earlier that month he would no longer be touring with the band due to his battle with the inflammatory disease ankylosing spondylitis, or AS.

The Mötley Crüe/Def Leppard tour relaunches February 10 and 11 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, before heading to Mexico City, Mexico, on February 18. A complete list of dates can be found at motley.com.

Irene Cara’s cause of death revealed

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

We now know the cause of death for singer/actress Irene Cara, who passed away November 25 at the age of 63.

According to Yahoo Entertainment, the Pinellas County, Florida, medical examiner has ruled the Fame star died of natural causes, blaming high cholesterol and hypertension. The report notes she suffered from cholesterol/plaque buildup in the arteries and hypertensive cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure. Diabetes also contributed to her condition.

After landing roles in Roots: The Next Generations and the 1976 cult film Sparkle, Cara got her big break when she was cast as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 film Fame. The role had her singing two of the movie’s signature songs, the title track, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Song, and “Out Here On My Own,” which was also nominated for an Oscar.

She also co-wrote “Flashdance…What a Feeling,” the theme song for the movie Flashdance, which went to number one on the Hot 100. It won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original song, as well as the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

‘Queen The Greatest Live’ episode three gives sneak peek at The Magic Tour rehearsals

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Queen is out with the latest installment of their yearlong YouTube series Queen The Greatest Live. This week’s episode focuses on rehearsals for 1986’s The Magic Tour.

The 26-date Magic Tour, which hit stadiums in the United Kingdom and Europe, wound up being frontman Freddie Mercury’s final shows and had the band playing a set list that featured almost 30 songs. The episode gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for the songs “Tear It Up,” “I Want To Break Free” and “Now I’m Here.”

According to the band’s multimedia collaborator Simon Lupton, it’s apparent the video featured in the episode wasn’t official and the band probably didn’t know it was being recorded. He notes, “Although it would have been very much frowned upon at the time, it now gives us a rare and fascinating insight into the rehearsal process,” calling the video footage a “rare gem.”

New Music Friday: Ella Mai, De La Soul, J.I.D. & Lute and more

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

It’s Grammys week, but there’s still new music to listen to. Here’s some of the latest songs/albums to come out.

Ella Mai, Heart on My Sleeve (Deluxe Edition) — The extended version of Ella’s sophomore album includes three new tracks: “2 O’Clock,” “This Is” and “Our Song.”

J.I.D. & Lute, “Ma Boy” — The Dreamville stars teamed up for the first single off the Creed IIIsoundtrack. On the song, the rappers discuss the hardships they overcame to get to where they are now.

NLE Choppa, “Champions” — The rapper honored the life of Tyre Nichols, who was killed in Memphis last month. His single pays tribute to all those in the city and urges them to keep pushing despite any struggles. “I feel like this song can speak volumes to us [with motivation], but really resonate with those who don’t know what life has for them,” he said.

De La Soul, “Eye Know” — The group’s released the single on streaming platforms, as well as an HD version of the original video. Their first six albums will be available on DSPs starting next month.

PinkPantheress ft. Ice Spice, “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” — The rapper adds her Bronx flair to the song originally released last year on Pink’s Take Me Home EP. “Even though Ice Spice does drill, her flows are super unique and the beats she chooses are different,” PinkPatheress told NME. “A lot of people would struggle with the beats I choose, but I knew she’d be good for it.”

Other releases:

Kevin Gates –THE LUCA BRASI STORY (A DECADE OF BRASI)

Meek Mill – “Don’t Follow the Heathens Freestyle”

Lil Keed – “Long Way To Go”

SAINt JHN – “Overstimulated”

Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & more added to Sunday’s Grammy Awards

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Some more artists have been added to Sunday night’s Grammy Awards. CBS Mornings revealed that the latest additions to the show include Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Chris Stapleton, who’ll perform together on the telecast.

The program noted that Wonder chose Stapleton for the performance, although right now there’s no word on what the trio will be performing.

Smokey’s addition comes on the same day he’s set to be honored as one of the Recording Academy’s MusiCares Persons of the Year, alongside Motown founder Berry Gordy.

The new additions join already announced Grammy performers Mick Fleetwood, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow, who’ll pay tribute to the late Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie, as well as Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, Steve Lacy, Lizzo, Kim Petras and Sam Smith.

The 65th annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, will air at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.

HGTV star Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young welcome their first baby

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

HGTV star Tarek El Moussa and Heather Rae Young have welcomed their first child together.

The couple announced the arrival of their son in a joint Instagram post on Thursday, sharing a picture of the newborn cradled in their hands while wrapped in a blanket.

“Our baby boy is here [heart emoji] 1.31.23,” El Moussa wrote in the caption. “Mama & baby are happy, healthy, tired but doing well. Our hearts are so happy.”

Friends and followers flocked to the comment section to congratulate the couple, including Young’s fellow Netflix Selling Sunset co-stars Jason Oppenheim and Chrishell Stause, and TV presenter Ant Anstead, who was previously married to El Moussa’s ex-wife Christina Hall.

“Yay!!! So excited for you two (three!!!!),” Oppenheim wrote.

Stause commented, “Omg sending SO much love your way!!!”

“HUGE congratulations you guys!” Anstead wrote.

Even the official HGTV account got in on the celebration, writing in the comments, “Welcome to the HGTV family little one!”

El Moussa, 41, and Young, 35, who tied the knot in October 2021, received the news about their pregnancy while undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments last year.

“It was a huge shock,” Young told People in July. “We just weren’t expecting this. We had just gone through IVF. We had embryos on ice. We had a plan.”

“I think when you least expect it and there’s no stress in your life, the world just brought us what was meant to be. I’m so excited that it happened like this,” she added.

New Bob Marley limited edition vinyl coming next month

February 3, 2023 by WDNY Radio

Monday, February 6, would have been Bob Marley’s 78th birthday, and to celebrate the milestone the Marley Family is giving fans a present – new vinyl.

The Marley Family, along with Tuff Gong and UME, will release 12 limited-edition Bob Marley vinyl LPs on March 24. Each release will be numbered and pressed at Tuff Gong International headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.

The releases will include nine original studio albums, including Uprising, Burnin’ and Natty Dread, along with two live albums and the reggae compilation Legend. The album Catch A Fire is being released in its original Jamaica-recorded version, without the overdubs and mix added by Island founder Chris Blackwell. The vinyl will have two extra tracks from the Jamaica sessions.

All albums are available for preorder now.

But that’s not all. The latest edition of the web series Fashion Icon focuses on Marley’s influence on the fashion world and the evolution of his style throughout his career. The episode, which is out now, is narrated by Cedella Marley and talks with members of the Marley family, including Ky-Mani Marley, Rohan Marley and Skip Marley, as well as Chuck D and others.

Finally, the Bob Marley birthday celebration will be held at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, Monday and will be streamed live on the Tuff Gong TV YouTube channel. It’s set to feature several Jamaican entertainers, along with tributes from Tyrone Downie and Jo Mersa Marley of The Wailers.

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